NameBlock_Date_ “You too can be selected, naturally” The evolution of the spotted bug-bird
Introduction:
Today you are all “spotted bug-birds”, members of the species Birdicus spottedbugicus, which is the best bird in the world at finding and eating their favorite meals, spotted bugs.These bugs are unique because they have no legs, no eyes, and no noticeably functional features.In fact they have an uncanny resemblance to beans.But make no mistake about it, these tasty bugs are your favorite things to eat and are actively sought out by all members of your species.Take a good look around you...those famished, beady eyed birds are your competition.Yes that’s right!!!It’s you or them!!!Seek and destroy, spotted bug-bird!!!
You are a migrating bird, and today you are passing over Flanders’ fertile farm on your way north for the winter.That’s right NORTH!!!You’re a weird bird.In the pasture you spot the brown spotted bugs basking in the sun’s rays.Lucky for you, since these insanely stupid bugs have no ears, eyes or legs to run away or warn them from danger, they do not see you coming.Its ripe picking!!!Although there is only one species of this bug, it is found in a variety of different color forms: brown, green, yellow, blue and red.(Spottedbuggicae brownicus, Spottedbuggicae chloris, Spottedbuggicae giallo, Spottedbuggicae blau, and Spottedbuggicae roseus.)Spottedbuggicae brownicus (brown) is most commonly found in New England.
Farmer Flanders favors these incredibly stupid insects because they fertilize his farm, thus allowing for his flora and fauna to flourish come springtime.So beware Birdicus spottedbugicus, Farmer Flanders is lurking.Gather and horde as many of these dumb bugs as you can, but be ready to make a hasty retreat in case Farmer Flanders sees you.It could be your last meal, as well as your hungry family’s!!
When you fly out to the grassy pasture, wait along its side until the signal is given.Then start picking up the dumb brown spotted bugs as fast as you can.You don’t have much time because farmer Flanders will be around soon enough to chase you nasty birds out of his perfect pasture.When he does, fly away to the safety of your nest as fast as you can and count your bugs.When the coast is clear, wait for the signal again and fly back in for another feast.
NameBlock_Date_ Bird Lab
Introduction:
Purpose:
Hypothesis:
Materials:
Procedure:
1.Obtain you materials and assemble near the farm. 2.When given the signal, begin collecting your “prey” (beans) 3.You will hunt for 2 minutes. 4.You may not pick up more than one bean at a time. 5.There is no talking and fighting birds will be declared dead and will be removed from the round. 6.After 2 minutes you will count the number of prey (beans) collected and record the number.Give the total to the instructor, and then return the prey (beans) back to the farm. 7.For round 2 some students will be given a mutation. 8.All students will then pick up their “prey” for 2 minutes. 9.After 2 minutes you will count the number of beans collected and record the number.Give the total to the instructor, and then return the prey (beans) back to the farm. 10.Round 3 is the same as round 2, except a predator will be introduced to the environment (Farmer Flanders). 11.The number of beans will be recorded and given to the instructor. 12.For the final round, all students will be given the mutation. 13.After 2 minutes, The number of beans will be recorded and given to the instructor.
Observations:
Describe your “bird” population:
Describe your “prey” (beans):
Describe the environment:
Describe the predator:
Data:
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Individual #
1st population
(average)
x
2nd population
(average)
x
Highest # of beans
(student name and population #)
Lowest # of beans
(student name and population #)
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Conclusion:
Which population was better adapted for picking up beans?Why? And what is an adaptation?
What is fitness?In which round did you have the most fitness?And how do you know?
Describe the differences between round 2 and 3.What effect did the predator have on your ability to hunt for beans?
Making predictions:
What would happen if there were different colored beans instead of just normal beans?(green, yellow, red, blue in equal amounts)In other words, how would these color differences affect your ability to pick them up?
Which bean color do you think would be better adapted for a grassy field?A beach?
What would happen if the predator did not wear a blindfold?Is that a good or bad adaptation for the predator? Good or bad adaptation for our population?
What would be another adaptation that would help:
a)our population become better hunters?
b)the predator become better at hunting?
c)the prey better at preventing being eaten? (other than color changes)
“You too can be selected, naturally”
The evolution of the spotted bug-bird
Introduction:
Today you are all “spotted bug-birds”, members of the species Birdicus spottedbugicus, which is the best bird in the world at finding and eating their favorite meals, spotted bugs. These bugs are unique because they have no legs, no eyes, and no noticeably functional features. In fact they have an uncanny resemblance to beans. But make no mistake about it, these tasty bugs are your favorite things to eat and are actively sought out by all members of your species. Take a good look around you...those famished, beady eyed birds are your competition. Yes that’s right!!! It’s you or them!!! Seek and destroy, spotted bug-bird!!!
You are a migrating bird, and today you are passing over Flanders’ fertile farm on your way north for the winter. That’s right NORTH!!! You’re a weird bird. In the pasture you spot the brown spotted bugs basking in the sun’s rays. Lucky for you, since these insanely stupid bugs have no ears, eyes or legs to run away or warn them from danger, they do not see you coming. Its ripe picking!!! Although there is only one species of this bug, it is found in a variety of different color forms: brown, green, yellow, blue and red. (Spottedbuggicae brownicus, Spottedbuggicae chloris, Spottedbuggicae giallo, Spottedbuggicae blau, and Spottedbuggicae roseus.) Spottedbuggicae brownicus (brown) is most commonly found in New England.
Farmer Flanders favors these incredibly stupid insects because they fertilize his farm, thus allowing for his flora and fauna to flourish come springtime. So beware Birdicus spottedbugicus, Farmer Flanders is lurking. Gather and horde as many of these dumb bugs as you can, but be ready to make a hasty retreat in case Farmer Flanders sees you. It could be your last meal, as well as your hungry family’s!!
When you fly out to the grassy pasture, wait along its side until the signal is given. Then start picking up the dumb brown spotted bugs as fast as you can. You don’t have much time because farmer Flanders will be around soon enough to chase you nasty birds out of his perfect pasture. When he does, fly away to the safety of your nest as fast as you can and count your bugs. When the coast is clear, wait for the signal again and fly back in for another feast.
NameBlock_Date_
Bird Lab
Introduction:
Purpose:
Hypothesis:
Materials:
Procedure:
1. Obtain you materials and assemble near the farm.
2. When given the signal, begin collecting your “prey” (beans)
3. You will hunt for 2 minutes.
4. You may not pick up more than one bean at a time.
5. There is no talking and fighting birds will be declared dead and will be removed from the round.
6. After 2 minutes you will count the number of prey (beans) collected and record the number. Give the total to the instructor, and then return the prey (beans) back to the farm.
7. For round 2 some students will be given a mutation.
8. All students will then pick up their “prey” for 2 minutes.
9. After 2 minutes you will count the number of beans collected and record the number. Give the total to the instructor, and then return the prey (beans) back to the farm.
10. Round 3 is the same as round 2, except a predator will be introduced to the environment (Farmer Flanders).
11. The number of beans will be recorded and given to the instructor.
12. For the final round, all students will be given the mutation.
13. After 2 minutes, The number of beans will be recorded and given to the instructor.
Observations:
Data:
(average)
(average)
(student name and population #)
(student name and population #)
Which population was better adapted for picking up beans? Why? And what is an adaptation?
What is fitness? In which round did you have the most fitness? And how do you know?
Describe the differences between round 2 and 3. What effect did the predator have on your ability to hunt for beans?
Making predictions:
- What would be another adaptation that would help:
a) our population become better hunters?b) the predator become better at hunting?
c) the prey better at preventing being eaten? (other than color changes)